Reading Time: 2 min read

4.5 out of 5 stars

Chris Brown, Fallin' (Ft. Leon Thomas) [📷: RCA Records / Chris Brown Entertainment]R&B superstar Chris Brown, assisted by R&B standout Leon Thomas, dips into traditional R&B on the bluesy, soulful single, “Fallin’.”

“Girl, I’m fallin’ / I’m still fallin’ for you, baby / And I don’t know what to do, baby / You know I’d die for you, baby.”
Ooh-wee! Perhaps the biggest news involving Grammy-winning R&B singer-songwriter Chris Brown in 2026 is the R&B Tour, which he is headlining with fellow Grammy-winning superstar Usher.  Women everywhere lost their ever-loving minds when this tour was announced… probably some men, too.  But, before touring, Brown tapped another Grammy-winning R&B artist, Leon Thomas, to assist him on his single, “Fallin’”, which appears on his 12th studio album, BROWN (arriving May 8, 2026). Like many Chris Brown songs, there are lots of cooks in the songwriting kitchen, including Brown and Thomas.  Co-writers Antonio Moses, RoccStar, and Clifton Haralson produced it.  Also, Grammy-nominated R&B artist Tank provides background vocals.

Chris Brown, BROWN [📷: RCA Records / Chris Brown Entertainment]

“Fallin’” is DIFFERENT for Chris Brown in the best way possible. Brown has always been talented in my eyes. Sometimes, the material he’s recorded has been underwhelming relative to his musicianship.  The voice has always been distinct, oozing with soul. On “Fallin’”, he wisely embraces old-school, traditional R&B/soul, and it’s a match made in musical heaven. Brown performs the intro, first verse, pre-chorus, and chorus, with contributions from Tank.  The theme: L-O-V-E and heartbreak.  See exhibit A, verse one: “For you, girl, I would have gone through the fire / almost lost my soul.” The chorus, excerpted earlier, finds Brown professing his love to the fullest. Leon Thomas takes the reins in the second verse, delivering his own top-notch vocals.  “I loved you until the casket,” he sings, and concludes, “I just wish we could get past it / Burnin’ bridges ‘til our paths meet again.” Now that is some deep stuff, right there.  Brown handles most of the second chorus, with assistance from Thomas and Tank.  He leads the way during the bridge, where she’s done a number on him: “Can’t just go ghost on me,” and, “Killing me, I’m in agony / Got my soul (Let me breathe).”  Authentic, dramatic, expressive, nuanced, and sincere, Chris Brown is on another level on “Fallin’”.  This is a prime example where a change of pace, and a killer music video, mind you, bodes well in his favor.  

4.5 out of 5 stars


Chris Brown » BROWN » RCA Records / Chris Brown Entertainment » 5.8.26
[📷: RCA Records / Chris Brown Entertainment]

 


the musical hype

The Musical Hype (he/him) has earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music (music education and music theory/composition, respectively). A multi-instrumentalist, he plays piano, trombone, and organ among numerous other instruments. He's a certified music educator, composer, and freelance music blogger. Music and writing are two of the most important parts of his life.

0 Comments

Leave a Reply